The Expat Diaries. Heroes among us: Stop Runaway Tram
The day came when our friends proved themselves you don't have to be a hardworker to contribute to society.
It was just an ordinary day. After a cup of coffee and a chat with the usual suspects Peter and Nike went about their daily routine of a long walk. But this time because tired decided to come back from via tram. A representative of a past epoch this tram aged about 40 years old patiently waiting to be retired to the museum of transport.
There were advantages of its authentic look as it added to the atmosphere of the Austro-Hungarian Old Town.
There was nothing to suggest anything out of the ordinary. Morning coffee, a walk followed by lunch somewhere out of the town centre before returning home to their individual bubbles. Relaxed after the exercize they would research the chosen subjects ready for coffee morning discussions the next day.
But no, this day was going to be special. The drama was about to unfold.
Nike noticed the lady-driver opened her cabin door and stepped outside to check something. But Nike and Peter were to busy discussing some crypro news to pay much attention.
The train started to move again. It was a midday so not many passengers just few old ladies and two young guys, hanging near doorway. Not to jump to conclusions but probably the type who tried their luck by not paying for a ticket.
The tram was accelerating which caused concern amonst the passengers.
-Maybe there is something wrong with brakes,- said Nike.
Peter noticed a lady at front of the tram fiercely jesticulating trying to attract their attention. At this stage he realised something was wrong even though he could not hear what she was saying due to their position at rear of the carriage.
- I can't hear what she's saying, I will move forward,- said Peter.
- But what If the breaks have failed we are much better off staying here, - replied Nike anxiously.
- I will just quickly see what's going on, -said Peter.
Nike was surprised to see one of the guys previously standing near the doorway rolling on the verge. Clearly he had just jumped from the moving tram despite the danger of its growing speed.
Nike's self preservation was telling him it's safer to stay at the back of the carrige in the ever growing likelyhood of possible collision.
As Peter approached the lady he could finally hear her, she cried: "There is no driver, you are a man, do something!". Her plea encouraged him to think fast. On entering the cabin, he realised the lady was right. It was empty. At this point he started chaotically pressing anything that even slightly resembled a break. Nothing seemed to work so he signaled Nike to join him.
Nike hesitated at first, but then male solidarity took over. He rushed to help his friend even though it seemed counter intuitive to head to the front of this runaway tram.
There are two types of people in the event of an emergency. Those who freeze and those who act. Luckily both of our friends were of the second type. Together they chaotically tried all the pedals, buttons, levers they could even lifting the drivers panel but couldnt find anything except wiring which was of no use as the engine was switched off. Things took a turn for the worse as the tram was not responding to any of their actions. It seemed nothing was going to stop it.
Luckily it was straight track and there were no people or cars on the crossing that they flew through. Gradually the hill became a little less steep and then flattened which contributed to the tram slight deceleration.
Nike intuitively felt a change in speed when he pressed one of the pedals. His and Peter's life, those of the frightened ladies and who knows whom else depended on the pressure exerted by the weight of his 6-foot tall body. Slowly, very slowly the tram started to loose speed.
That was definitely the luckiest day of their lifes as that when tram reached that plato and finally stopped. Nike didn't lift his leg from the pedal till the lady driver returned to her post in the cabin. She had covered 2 km increadibly quickly with the help of a following motorist.
Her eyes were huge with combination of fear and relief that no one was injured and the tram undamaged. Only when she took control did Nike left the cabin. Both Nike and Peter were cheered and praised by the other passengers. Some of whom even offered heart pills called Validol to calm them down. They politely refused.
The lady driver smiled with gratitued and asked if they'd like to continue the ride. Nike and Peter looked at each other and then Nike said "We have had enough exicetement for a day. We will walk from here, thank you".
That was episode 4 series 3 about expats life
The previous episode Expats in Space https://steemit.com/entertainment/@dovetail/expats-in-space-expatrinauts-to-celebrate-cosmonautics-day
Next Episode: The Plumber or Emotionally Drained https://steemit.com/life/@dovetail/the-plumber-or-emotionally-drained
Also if you missed out you could start reading the Expats from beginning please find Introduction here http://steemit.com/life/@dovetail/expats-introduction